ALCAB

Remembering the work of ALCAB. This was set up to advise on the content of reformed 'A' level specifications. Their work resulted in a number of new subjects appearing on specifications.

Our role was to provide advice to Government and to the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) on the content of A-levels in the subjects of particular importance for preparation for the leading universities. We were funded by a grant from the Department for Education.

Our detailed work in respect of individual A-level subjects was undertaken by specialist subject panels made up of experienced academics. Our work focused on the ‘facilitating subjects’ identified by the Russell Group, which are mathematics, further mathematics, English literature, physics, biology, chemistry, geography, history, and modern and classical languages.

Our work built on the findings of the A-level subject content review conducted by the awarding organisations and Ofqual. ALCAB established expert subject panels to review the content of A-levels in mathematics, further mathematics; modern foreign and classical languages; and geography. The panel reports were published in July 2014.

We will also contribute to the review process for A-levels that Ofqual will establish in the longer-term. Through this process, we will consider the content of the remainder of those facilitating subjects not identified for detailed consideration by subject panels in the first phase of our work, providing advice and drawing on relevant expertise as appropriate.

The Geography Subject Panel.

The Geography Panel is chaired by Professor Martin Evans who is a Professor of Geomorphology at University of Manchester and Head of Geography in the School of Environment, Education and Development.

Geography Panel members are:

Dr Pippa Chapman, University of Leeds

Professor Klaus Dodds, University of London

Professor Richard Harris, School of Geographical Sciences

Professor Anthony Long, University of Durham

Dr Emma Mawdsley, University of Cambridge

Professor Richard Phillips, University of Sheffield

Ms Bridget Oeppen, Hills Road 6th Form College, Cambridge

Dr Alistair Owens, Queen Mary, University of London

Dr Ruth Weaver, Plymouth University

Dr Rita Gardner, Royal Geographical Society

Mr Alan Kinder, Geographical Association

ALCAB ended in January 2015.

I wonder, ten years on, whether the Curriculum and Assessment Review will require similar panels to advise on subject content updates, rather than such changes coming as part of the Review document itself.

The original ALCAB report from 2014 can be read on this link. (PDF download)

Regional Studies Association

In early 2024, Alan Kinder left the Geographical Association to become the Chief Executive of the Regional Studies Association.

While researching a few GA Presidents I came across some connections between the GA and the RSA.

This document was produced for their 50th Anniversary in 2015. (PDF download)

There are some familiar names.

It was no surprise to see Dudley Stamp mentioned there, or Patrick Abercrombie.

In the entry on Michael Wise:

He was also the founding President of the Transport Studies Society and for ten years (1973–1984) chaired the Executive Committee of the Association of Agriculture and, although he held no office, he was much involved, as his unpublished 1992 paper shows, in the negotiations that led to the establishment of the Regional Studies Association.

"A British Group of the organisation was later formed with membership including influential figures such as Sir Patrick Abercrombie, Sir Dudley Stamp, Otto Koenigberger, Percy Johnson-Marshall, Robert Gardner-Medwin and Robert Grieve. The British Group’s underlying principles originated from the work of C.B. Fawcett and  Patrick Geddes in employing empirical approaches to regional planning and physical development, and contrasted with the quantitative methods and theories being developed and promoted through regional science. The older generation in this group had been trained in the tradition of the arts and crafts movement."

The GA's new Chief Executive: Steve Brace

An important announcement from the GA today.

Alan Kinder's replacement was announced.

The full announcement said:

The Geographical Association (GA) is delighted to announce that Steve Brace has been appointed as its new Chief Executive.

Steve is already well known to the geography education community having previously been Head of Education and Outdoor Learning at the Royal Geographical Society (with Institute of British Geographers) (RGS (with IBG)). He started his career as a geography teacher at a London comprehensive, moving on to roles at the charity Action Aid and the Commonwealth Institute, before joining the RGS (with IBG). Whether via social media or through regular contributions to the Times Educational Supplement and other newspapers, Steve has become an important and trusted spokesperson for geography.

Professor Alastair Owens, the GA’s Chair of Trustees, commented:

‘Steve Brace is a leading figure in the geography education community, and I am thrilled that he will be joining the GA. He brings deep experience of supporting geography teachers from primary to A level, has been influential in shaping education policy relevant to our discipline, has built many partnerships and raised funds to develop new initiatives, and has played a key role in making geography more diverse and inclusive.

Steve’s energy and strategic vision will enable the GA to address the needs of its members in responsive and imaginative ways and ensure that it continues to be a powerful voice in advocating for the relevance and value of a geographical education in a rapidly changing world. The GA and geographical education are in very good hands.’

Steve Brace said:

‘I am delighted to be joining the GA as its Chief Executive and to lead the organisation at such an important time for our subject. My first GA conference was in 1989. Since then, I have worked alongside many GA colleagues, its trustees and members – and long admired its work.

The GA, and our subject community as a whole, have much to celebrate. There have been significant improvements in geography teaching across primary and secondary schools. Exam entries have increased and geographers are receiving greater public recognition.

However, there is more work needed to strengthen the supply of subject specialist geography teachers, to protect and develop fieldwork, advance equality, diversity and inclusion and better connect geography’s value to all young people’s aspirations. The GA, through its own work and in partnership, has a vital role to play in addressing such challenges. I am pleased to be joining during Denise Freeman’s Presidential year and look forward to working with her, Vice President Hina Robinson, the entire GA community and its collaborators to address these priorities.’

Steve will join the GA staff on 25 March 2024 in good time for the Annual Conference and Exhibition, themed ‘Geography for Everyone’, which takes place at the University of Manchester, 4–6 April 2024.

🎉Congratulations to Steve Brace, our former colleague, on his appointment as CEO at @The_GA.

We are all looking forward to the opportunities to collaborate more closely between our organisations. https://t.co/QVRn31OzGg

— Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) (@RGS_IBG) March 14, 2024

A chance to be the next Chief Executive of the GA

A chance for an exciting new role for someone in 2024.

Full details here.

We now seek a new Chief Executive to provide strategic leadership of the GA and its passionate, professional staff team of 18, based at the Association’s headquarters in Sheffield. This is a strategic role for a collaborative leader to shape and drive the development and implementation of the Association’s strategic vision. 

Our current Strategic Plan comes to an end in 2025, giving you the opportunity to work closely with trustees and members to build on past achievements and identify and develop new opportunities to enable the Association to thrive into the 2030s.

A change of Chief Executive

This blog has traced the history of the GA's Governance, including the change to a structure which included a Chief Executive.

A recent important change was announced.

Alan Kinder is stepping down as Chief Executive after 11 years in the role. 

Alan’s last working day at the GA will be Thursday 21 December 2023. Best wishes of course to Alan for his new role, and heartfelt thanks for all that he has achieved in that time. This will be an interesting period for the GA. 

In a recent update in the Newsletter we learned:

Alan will be taking up a new, dual role early in 2024, as Chief Executive Officer of the Regional Studies Association and General Manager of RSA Europe.

During his time at the GA, Alan crafted two strategic plans (covering the periods 2014–19 and 2020–2025), led the successful implementation of the 2014–19 plan and ensured the GA further developed under its current strategic plan. 

This work focused on bringing geography teachers together, meeting their professional needs, raising the profile of the Association and advocating for high-quality geographical education. It underpinned a doubling of GA membership between 2012 and 2023 and significant growth in the number of schools and teachers engaged with the GA, particularly through its professional development events and social media activities.

Alan represented the GA and the interests of the geography teaching community on national and international stages throughout his time in post, providing expert advice to (amongst others) the Department for Education, Ofsted and Ofqual. 

Through his advocacy work and the extensive body of professional advice and support material he authored on behalf of the GA and its partner organisations, Alan exerted a considerable influence on the curriculum and professional practice we see in geography education today. His recent work to develop a GA Framework for the school geography curriculum will continue to shape the nature and scope of the geography curriculum in the years ahead.

GA Chief Executive Alan Kinder said:

“As a former teacher of geography, it has been the most enormous honour and privilege to have served as the GA’s Chief Executive for more than eleven years. This is a vibrant community, supporting a vital part of every young person’s education. 

Teachers of geography deserve the assistance of an independent subject association, focused squarely on their needs and interests, and I hope I have been able to play a role in representing and supporting teachers effectively during my time in post. 

As I begin to prepare for the exciting professional challenges that lie ahead for me, I’m confident that the GA will use its current strategy as a strong foundation for further progress in the years ahead.”

The search for Alan's replacement is underway.

In the meantime, the leadership of the Association will be shared amongst a number of people in important SLT roles at Solly Street along with several prominent volunteers (and former GA Presidents).

Professor Alastair Owens, the Chair of Trustees shared the news on the plans for continuity of leadership.

Interim leadership arrangements

I am delighted to announce that Elaine Anderson (Head of Publishing), Alex Forsyth (Finance and Operations Manager), and Becky Kitchen (Head of Professional Development) have agreed to share the responsibilities of the Chief Executive role until a new Chief Executive is in post. 

I am also pleased to share that John Hopkin, current Honorary Treasurer of the GA and a former President, has agreed to provide mentorship and support of the acting Chief Executive team, ensuring that there is co-ordination of their roles and responsibilities.

I am very grateful to Elaine, Alex and Becky for agreeing to provide leadership and continuity at this time of transition. Collectively they bring a wide range of skills, know the Association very well, and are already focused on the leadership and delivery of our strategic priorities. During their period of leadership any communications for the attention of the Chief Executive should be addressed to ChiefExec@geography.org.uk so that it can be allocated to the individual with relevant responsibilities.

I am also grateful to John who will bring great wisdom and longstanding GA experience to his advisory and mentoring role.

Search for a new Chief Executive

The GA’s Board of Trustees has established a search committee to oversee the appointment of a new Chief Executive. Following a selection process, the committee has recently contracted the recruitment agency Peridot to assist in this process. 

An advertisement and ‘job pack’ are currently being prepared and will be shared shortly; we encourage members to further share this with any individuals they think suited to the role. Please feel free to write to me at a.j.owens@qmul.ac.uk if you have suggestions for candidates. We hope to have the new Chief Executive in post by the summer of next year.

I am grateful to the entire GA community – our members, those who run our committees, special interest groups and branches, the dedicated staff who work in Sheffield, the trustees and our partners and collaborators – for their continued support and commitment during this period of transition. As we approach the end of the year, I wish everyone a restful and happy holiday period.

Prof Alastair Owens - Chair of Trustees, The Geographical Association

Alan Kinder to step down from his GA Chief Executive post

I have covered the story of the previous GA Chief Executives as part of the writing of this blog.  

It was announced today that Alan Kinder is going to be stepping down as Chief Executive of the Geographical Assocation. He is moving to a new job with the Regional Studies Association in 2024.

The Chair of the RSA Board is Professor Neil Lee, Geography Department, London School of Economics and readers of the blog will know that the GA and LSE were connected for many decades, with some former GA Presidents being drawn from LSE staff, and the GA Conference being held there for many years too.

Alan leaves the GA in a strong position having completed 11 years in post. He has been an excellent Chief Executive, taking over from Professor David Lambert.

I first knew Alan when he co-chaired the Secondary Phase Committee I served on from 2004, when he was an Advisory teacher in London. He also co-edited the KS3 Toolkit series in 2007ish which I contributed to. I have co-presented with him at GA Conferences. 

He has overseen some dramatic changes in the GA's structure, staffing and operations and taken it through the pandemic to emerge in a very strong position with record membership levels.

I wish him all the best for his next challenge. 

This also means that there is an exciting job opportunity for someone as well: as the GA's next Chief Executive.

Yesterday was also the deadline for nominations for GA President 2025-26 and it will be interesting to find out who has put themselves forward... 

Statements below from the GA website:

GA Chief Executive Alan Kinder said:

“As a former teacher of geography, it has been the most enormous honour and privilege to have served as the GA’s Chief Executive for more than eleven years. This is a vibrant community, supporting a vital part of every young person’s education. Teachers of geography deserve the assistance of an independent subject association, focused squarely on their needs and interests, and I hope I have been able to play a role in representing and supporting teachers effectively during my time in post. As I begin to prepare for the exciting professional challenges that lie ahead for me, I’m confident that the GA will use its current strategy as a strong foundation for further progress in the years ahead.”

GA Chair of Trustees Professor Alastair Owens said:

“Alan Kinder has been an outstanding Chief Executive of the Geographical Association. Over his eleven years of energetic and committed leadership, he has worked tirelessly to support the geography education community, resulting in unparalleled levels of engagement with the Association’s activities and a doubling of its membership. Alan is a skilled and influential advocate for the discipline while also being a generous mentor, colleague and friend. While sad that he will be moving on from the GA, I congratulate him warmly on his new roles at the Regional Studies Association.

We are delighted to announce that the new CEO of @regstud will be Alan Kinder @GAChiefExec. Read the full story https://t.co/hdcPG7DkHp pic.twitter.com/vi0PtAzYZe

— Regional Studies Association (@regstud) November 2, 2023

OFSTED Subject Report Livestream

The GA has always had a relationship with OFSTED / HMI and several previous Presidents held HMI roles, either nationally or regionally e.g. Michael Storm. 

A GA event, with Mark Enser, Alan Kinder and Denise Freeman - the current GA President is taking place in November.

I am very much looking forward to this!

A chance to talk to @The_GA members about the new @Ofstednews geography subject report.

Book your place and come with questions. https://t.co/7S4s20GRCr

— Mark Enser 🌍 (@EnserMark) October 20, 2023

 

Congratulations to Alan Kinder

The GA's Chief Exective, Alan Kinder has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the Royal Scottish Geographical Society.

The certificate was presented by the current GA President: Professor Alastair Owens earlier this month.

Well done to Alan. I was presented with Honorary Fellowship myself back in 2013, when I also received their Joy Tivy Education Medal.

We were delighted to present RSGS Honorary Fellowship to Alan Kinder @GAChiefExec, Chief Executive of the Geographical Association, for his valuable work towards creating geographical resources, and keeping subject of geography alive and relevant. Congratulations! pic.twitter.com/53GtfSgbft

— RSGS (@RoyalScotGeoSoc) November 29, 2022

Image: Alan Parkinson, shared under CC license 

Geography advocacy around Fieldwork

Many previous GA Presidents had strong connections with fieldwork. 

The GA has recently teamed up with strategic partners and the RGS-IBG to provide feedback to OFQUAL about fieldwork entitlements for students.

Read how @The_GA @RGS_IBG @FieldStudiesC and @DTW_Education have responded together to the reinstatement of fieldwork requirements to GCSE and A level geography by @ofqual and @educationgovuk https://t.co/CUzmWfaXYd

— Alan Kinder (@GAChiefExec) November 10, 2022

The GA's National Research Report - now available

The GA has carried out a great deal of research throughout its history and released papers and pamphlets at intervals, often involving the President of the time, or former and future Presidents. The latest report has been compiled over the last few months and is now available to view.

Download a copy of the report here.

The Geographical Association (GA) published a national research report today, focused on the professional needs and views of teachers of geography. 

The report presents the findings from a two-stage ‘listening exercise’, comprised of an online survey and a series of focus group discussions with geography educators from the primary, secondary and post-16/HE phases and from Initial Teacher Education (ITE).

The most consistent finding of the research is that subject-specialist issues are a key concern for all those involved in geography education, primary geography subject leaders, secondary practitioners early in their career, experienced secondary school heads of geography and geography ITE tutors. It concludes that more action is needed to meet the demands of geography educators for support with subject-specialist knowledge, skills, confidence and connections. The research also:

• points to the significant impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on geography education, highlighting that these impacts vary greatly from school to school and between individuals

• identifies what geography teachers value about their professional subject association, particularly their desire to network with one another

• emphasises the relevance of global environmental and social issues to geography and the need for the geography education community to respond to these issues.

GA Chief Executive Alan Kinder said:

‘This GA National Research Report has been a year in the making and I’d like to thank all those GA members and others who gave their time towards such an insightful exercise. With a growing membership, the GA needs to work ever-harder to listen to and represent the views of its members. This report distils a huge range of ideas and makes recommendations for the GA, for policy-makers, for school leaders and teachers of geography. Our next challenge will be to pursue these findings and recommendations, so that children and young people in schools everywhere benefit from the improved support we are able to provide to teachers of geography, nationally and internationally.’

I was pleased to have played a part by facilitating one of the focus groups. Thanks to all those members and non-members alike who contributed to the fnal report, and particular thanks to Dr. Emma Rawlings-Smith and Alan Kinder who co-authored the report and to all those involved at various stages in its production.

The TES has picked up on the fieldwork issue for newly qualified teachers, which has been missing from many ITE courses:

New geography teachers lack the confidence to teach fieldwork after having limited experience of it during the pandemic, @The_GA warnshttps://t.co/DzJgTBx14c

— Tes (@tes) January 27, 2022

Alan Kinder - Chief Executive

Alan Kinder was appointed as the Chief Executive of the GA in 2012, taking office in September of that year. I'd known Alan since 2005 ish when we first started working on the books which were the original editions in the KS3 Teacher Toolkit - others have been added to the series since.

Alan also served on, and was co-chair of Secondary Phase Committee for a while when I also served on the committee.

Here's the announcement of Alan's appointment as David Lambert's replacement as Chief Executive on the GA website back in 2012, thanks to the Wayback Machine.

Alan had a varied career before becoming the Chief Executive, involving himself in many aspects of the subject, and the different groups the GA engages with.

There is a brief biography on the GA website.

Alan has had a wide variety of roles within geographical education: geography teacher, school and curriculum leader, field studies officer, local authority adviser, PGCE tutor and educational consultant. 

His work has taken him from the south coast of England to South Yorkshire and from continental Europe to South-East Asia, giving him the opportunity to work with hundreds of schools from across the UK and further afield. 

Alan has written and contributed to a large body of professional and curriculum materials: books, CPD courses, newspaper and journal articles and website materials on behalf of organisations including the Geographical Association, Oxford University Press, Routledge, the Prince’s Teaching Institute, Times Educational Supplement, RGS-IBG and many others. He is, with John Widdowson, the series co-editor of the GA's award-winning Key Stage 3 Geography Teacher's Toolkit.

Alan has played a key role in advising government on curriculum matters over many years and has had a significant influence on the content and structure of the national curriculum for geography. He was a member of the Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency (QCDA) panel which advised on English national curriculum reforms in 2008 and reformed A levels that same year. 

Alan was also a national advisor for the implementation of the 2008 Key Stage 3 curriculum in schools. In 2012 he joined the Department for Education’s (DfE’s) subject expert group to advise the Government on the 2014 National Curriculum and GCSE subject criteria for geography from 2016; he was a member of the Geography Expert Subject Advisory Group (GESAG) for the implementation of the 2014 national curriculum and a member of the A Level Content Advisory Board (ALCAB) geography panel, responsible for advising the DfE on A level geography content criteria from 2016. 

Alan has advised the QCDA on national assessment initiatives and Ofqual, the qualification regulator, on specification regulation.

He currently sits on the Council for British Geography (COBRIG), is a Director of the Council for Subject Associations (CfSA), a virtual editorial board member and regular contributor to the SecEd educational newspaper and a corresponding member of the International Geographical Union Commission on Geographical Education (IGU-CGE) UK sub-committee. 

In 2017 he joined the University Of Sheffield Department of Geography’s advisory board.

As a long-standing member of the Geographical Association, Alan served on the GA's Secondary Phase Committee between 1998 and 2008 (Co-Chair 2005-8), chaired its Education Committee from 2009-12 and served as a member of the GA Governing Body from 2009-12. 

Alan's role is tremendously varied and challenging and I have hugely valued his support for my own Presidential journey, and his thoughtful and measured approach to all meetings. The final year has been particularly demanding on Alan and all the staff at GA HQ. Alan will hopefully not mind me mentioning that he has a few more grey hairs in his beard... as do I, but have come through it remarkably well and we are in a good place going forward.

Alan has contributed numerous articles to GA publications over the years, as well as chapters in the Secondary Handbook. He co-writes a Policy Matters column in the GA magazine each issue, along with the President.

I have learned a great deal working with Alan during my time as Junior Vice and Vice President, and look forward to working with him and the team at Solly Street over the next two years.

Image: Bryan Ledgard - Alan K with John Lyon at the Association at Work day.

"Geography soars"

A piece in the i Newspaper, which explores the growing popularity of Geography at 'A' level. Features a quote from Alan Kinder, Chief Executive of the Geographical Association.

I like to think its to do with the excellent teaching of geography by colleagues rather than the 'Greta effect' as one paper put it.

GeogPod: Alan Kinder

The latest GeogPod podcast, and the last for a few weeks, is an interview with Alan Kinder who talks about his journey to becoming the GA's Chief Executive, and the work of the Geographical Association. He says lots which are of relevance to this blog, and mentions some former GA Presidents who have featured here, such as Rex Walford and Douglas Freshfield.

John talks about his own experiences with the Geographical Association, going back to 1976 and visiting the library at Fulwood Road. He and Alan also say something which I've heard quite a few times before - that visitors to Solly Street can't believe how much is done by such a small number of staff.

Alan talks about the purpose of the GA and its link with the subject discipline and the notion of community and lays out with his usual clarity the key purposes of the GA, and how those are communicated and sometimes contested.

The GA is an association of geography educators, and developed to enable discussions of shared values and the exchange of ideas.

John discusses Douglas Freshfield's introduction to the first journal 'The Geographical Teacher', something I've also covered over on the blog, and the impact of the internet on teacher development and communicating.

Alan reminds us of the importance of the GA, and how it has got to where it is now... influenced by the 100+ GA Presidents who have held the role over the decades, and those who have got involved in whatever way they have with the GA - and there are several options for that. 

He also talks about the value of being a GA member, and why some people may not become members.

Alan talks about the future of the GA, and the challenges ahead as well as the powerful work that continues to be done, and discusses the GA's new Strategy as well as trailing the GA Conference ahead - conference began in 1921, so this is the centenary year for that.

1994: Professor James Anthony (Tony) Binns

Tony is currently the Ron Lister Professor of Geography at the University of Otago in New Zealand, and still working, in fact he was planning to come over to the GA Conference in Guildford in 2020 before it was cancelled.

This entry includes information provided by Tony himself, via the Google form questionnaire I created.

Tony was born in Prestwich in 1948.

Education:

Stand Grammar School, Whitefield, Lancashire. 

In 1967 I went to Sheffield University to study Single Honours Geography. I graduated in July 1970 and then stayed at Sheffield to Study for a Diploma in Education, which I gained (with distinction) in July 1971. I joined the GA in 1969 in my second year as an undergraduate at Sheffield and made good use of the GA library which was then in the ground floor of a large house at 343, Fulwood Road.

Career - quite a varied one:

I taught at Adwick High School in Doncaster in 1971 and 1972. 

I became fasciated with Africa through my studies at Sheffield and also from teaching a Sixth Form General Studies course at Adwick High School. So in October 1972 I went to the Centre of West African Studies at Birmingham University to study for an MA and then a PhD. 

I spent the whole of 1974 in Sierra Leone researching on the relationships between rural development and diamond mining. 

I took up a position as Research Fellow at the University of Sussex in October 1975 and stayed at Sussex as Lecturer, Senior Lecturer and Reader until September 2004 (30 years). 

In October 2004 I took up the position as Ron Lister Professor of Geography at the University of Otago in Dunedin, South Island, New Zealand where I still work. I have published 21 books and over 160 book chapters and journal articles. 

My writing has focused mainly on development issues in Africa, South Asia and the Pacific, and also on aspects of geographical education.

An impressive output, similar to the previous 2 Presidents who have also had long academic careers in the field of geography education.

Of his own GA Presidential year, Tony told me that at the time he was Reader in Geography in the School of African and Asian Studies at the University of Sussex, Brighton.

"My theme focused on understanding processes of development in poor countries and, in particular, appreciating indigenous knowledge and perceptions."

This is important work which still needs to be done.

He told me about his appreciation for the work of the GA.

"The GA plays a vital role as guardian of the school Geography curriculum. Among GA members there is a vast amount of knowledge and expertise on all aspects of geographical study. It is vital that the strength of Geography in our schools is maintained and indeed enhanced, to ensure the success of Geography in higher education and the contribution of the discipline to understanding so many aspects of the world we live in."

Tony co-produced the GA's response to Keith Joseph's questions following the 1985 speech to the GA special event I have blogged about previously, working with Patrick Bailey. 

See the earlier entries on 'A Case for Geography'.

Mike Morrish told me that he was good friends with Tony, who ran a number of GA Study Tours to China and one to the Gambia.

Tony also told me about his memories of his Presidential cycle:

"We achieved a membership of 11,000 during my time as President. The GA primary initiative was gaining momentum and the national curriculum had been launched. 

In 1988, as GA Hon Secretary (1985-1989), I played a key role in setting up the Teacher Education Working Group, the International Committee, the International Fund and the New Initiatives Fund. 

I also played a key role in launching the GAs overseas study tours through the International Committee, and I took part in the first study tour to China in 1988. 

In 1993, we had a very succesful tour to Pakistan and China to celebrate the centenary of the GA. 

My Annual Conference in April 1995 was the first and only conference to be held in Lancaster. 

The theme of the conference at Lancaster University was 'Developing Geography'. We had a memorable President's Evening held in the splendid Victorian edifice of Lancaster Town Hall with the Mayor of Lancaster hosting us. After the dinner I had arranged for an African band to come up."

Recently, Tony co-wrote a paper with Alan Kinder, which can be obtained from the Geo-Ed website.

In 1993, Tony attended the Centenary conference events and was featured in several photos which were sent to me by Sheila Jones and have been appearing on the blog in recent years. Several of those have appeared on previous posts.

 

I'd hoped to have an image taken with Tony at the 2020 GA Conference, as Tony was coming over to lead a session. He had to cancel of course, before the whole event went virtual.

He did, however still take part by offering a session. This can be accessed via the GA website.

Tony has travelled widely in Africa, leading trips for other geographers and involving himself in projects.

Here he is in Freetown , Sierra Leone in 2011

Image credit: Kenny Lynch

https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynchkenny/5430881779/sizes/l/

Thanks to Tony for answering my questions and contributing to this post.

You can find out more about Tony's work in supporting Geography, which mentions his GA Presidency in the introduction to the Ron Lister Lecture in October 2020. He talks about his work in Sierra Leone, and ideas of place.

 

Professor Binns has been visiting and researching in Sierra Leone, West Africa, for 46 years and has developed strong links with the remote community of Kayima in the north-east of the country. The United Nations ranks Sierra Leone as one of the world’s poorest countries, where development has been constrained by political and economic instability, a decadelong civil war, an Ebola epidemic and now COVID-19. In this lecture, Tony will draw on his experiences since 1974 to examine the changes the community has experienced and to appreciate the underlying causes of poverty in Kayima. Very few longitudinal studies have been undertaken in Africa, and this study reveals a remarkable level of community resilience and ability to adapt to changing scenarios.

References
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Binns
Image taken from Otago University newsletter.

https://www.otago.ac.nz/geography/staff/otago084963.html

https://profiles.sussex.ac.uk/p246-tony-binns

A Facebook video: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=253550984837812

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/030913259301700108 - "a place in the sun"

If anyone has other memories of Tony and his time as GA President please get in touch.

1893 - 1897: The no-President years

Updated: August 2022

On the 4th of April, 1893, a letter was sent to a number of geography educators informing them of a meeting which was to be held in Oxford.
It was signed by a number of prominent geographers of the time.

Image: Copyright Geographical Association

A room was found by Halford Mackinder, who was Reader in Geography at the University of Oxford, and the group met in the new Common Room at Christ Church college.
The meeting was held on the 20th of May, 1893, and during that meeting the Geographical Association was founded.
More can be read in an article written by Peter Jackson in 2018.

For the next four years of the Association, there was no President however, with an Honorary Secretary and various committees running the Association as it found its feet and started to attract members.

The original ideas of sharing resources started to develop in this early meeting, lantern slides in particular were part of what was called the 'pictorial method'.

Between 1893 and 1897 there was no GA President as the post didn't exist.

B.Bentham Dickinson (of whom more to come in a future post) was Honorary Secretary (1893-1900)

He had collected over 230 catalogued lantern slides to start the process of sharing these, along with lesson notes.

The first AGM was held at the Colonial Institute in London in December 1894, by which time membership stood at 50. These meetings weren't helping Grammar schools become aware of the existence of the Association, which needed to become more active in this area. As Dickinson was a working teacher, an extra pair of hands were needed. An assistant was appointed in 1895 in the shape of  J.S Masterman, who had retired from teaching at University College School helped out until 1900, when Masterman became Treasurer.

At this time, when there was no President, there were 4 questions which drove a lot of the activity and discussions of Association members and officers:

Balchin, in his Centenary history of the Association lists them:

1. Should examination papers in geography be prepared and/or reviewed by experts?
2. Should a knowledge of physical geography be an essential feature in a course in Geography and in any subsequent examination, and if so what should be the syllabus?
3. Should one ask for a knowledge of the whole world in general or for a more detailed knowledge of a continent or region?
4. Should geography be a compulsory subject for some competitive examinations?

You can perhaps guess what the answers to the consultation were...

A number of specimen schemes were published by the Association, who also requested that geography form part of what we might now call the Common Entrance Exam (although the request was turned down initially)

Dr Hugh Robert Mill (who will also get his own entry in due course), published a very useful compilation called 'Hints to Teachers of Geography on the Choice of Books for Research and Reading'
This can be read on this Internet Archive entry along with other of Hugh Robert Mill's books. This was an interesting observation from the footnote of the introduction. It gives the address of the RGS at the time, on Savile Row, and also the correspondence address for the Secretary's assistant Mr. Masterman.


It is also interesting to read some of Hugh Robert Mill's thoughts in the book.

Read more about the initial meeting here, in a piece by Alan Kinder and Nick Lapthorn (the latter will have his own entry on this blog in due course as a Past President)

In 2018, a group of Geographers was invited to a special meal at the venue where the Association was founded.
Images from that event can be seen here.
Here is the CEO, Alan Kinder in the same room where the association was founded, during the 125th Anniversary year.


Image copyright: Geographical Association / Bryan Ledgard
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/972/41597586484_9f605f41b7_b.jpg 

References
W.G.V Balchin: 'The Geographical Association, The first Hundred Years' (GA, 1993)

Update (June 2019)

Perhaps the definitive account of this period of the GA was written by H. J. Fleure, and can be read on the JSTOR by subscribers to 'Geography'
Access it here.

Update
Brian Bentham Dickinson shared his reminiscences of this period later (in 1931)
It can be read here.
https://www.jstor.org/stable/40557794

He described the first meetings of the Association, including the initial founding meeting in Oxford.

The first formal meeting of the GA was held on August 3rd 1893 at University College School, then at 16 Gower Street, with the Headmaster M. H. W. Eve in the Chair. 

Venue is shown below on Google Earth - near the British Library / Bloomsbury.



I found some letters in Hugh Robert Mill's archive relating to this period and they have been posted separately.